Mission and Vision

The Washington Recorder Society (WRS)’s mission is to provide a venue for people in the Washington, D.C., area to play, study and enjoy the recorder.

The Washington Recorder Society’s goal is to foster knowledge and appreciation of the recorder and its music, including the art, history, literature and uses of the recorder. Activities are designed to raise the level of proficiency in the performance and use of the recorder, and to promote appreciation of the recorder and related musical instruments in the Washington metropolitan area.

WRS is a (501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is an officially recognized chapter of the American Recorder Society (ARS). WRS was founded in 1958 and has been a chapter of the American Recorder Society since 1963.

In 2023, the membership approved the following policy on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA):

WRS is committed to building a diverse, supportive, and inclusive community of recorder players where all members, participants, and interested parties, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status, education, or disability, feel accepted, appreciated, and respected. We value and embrace diversity and mutual respect, and aim to maintain an environment where all members feel welcomed. We celebrate diverse life experiences, as it is an integral part of the blended music we make together as a community. We acknowledge that our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility mission is a shared responsibility and that all our members have a role in advancing our goals and values.